The Peppermint Legend

According to ancient Greek legend, Pluto — the god who reigned over the underworld — became enraptured by a nymph named Menthe, causing his wife, Proserpina, to turn the young beauty into an herb and banish her forever to regions of shadows and moisture. And — like most such tales — the myth still has relevance today: This perennial, peppermint (Mentha piperita ), is often found growing wild in wet, shaded spots but it will also thrive in your own garden or window box.

Rue is valued for its flavonoids, particularly rutin, which strengthens blood vessels. Rue has been used to strengthen the eyes, as an anthelmintic to treat parasitic worms, and as an antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, expectorant, hemostatic and stimulant. It's also used to induce vomiting and relieve gas. Fresh Rue juice has also been used to treat earaches.

In large doses Rue can be toxic, and should never be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women.

But my favorite thing about Rue is its usefulness in repelling insects. Rue can be grown as a companion plant for fruit trees, roses and raspberries. The dried leaves are also an effective moth repellent. In the garden, rue may be planted near valuable plants to repel cats as well. ... See MoreSee Less